Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2019 Ford ExpeditionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 521 owner complaints for the 2019 Ford Expedition. Most complaints involve power train (223) and seat belts (110). The EPA rates it 18–20 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
18–20mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
11campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
521
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

11 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: automatic transmission

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

Power trainReported Jun 24, 2026NHTSA 26V402000

Structure: center console

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Expedition vehicles. The chrome plating on the center console may bubble and peel, resulting in sharp edges.

StructureReported Jun 9, 2026NHTSA 26V368000

Seat belts: pretensioner

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.

Seat beltsReported May 27, 2026NHTSA 26V344000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

521 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train223
  2. Seat belts110
  3. Engine108
  4. Engine and engine cooling31
  5. Air bags25
  6. Electrical system17
  7. Structure16
  8. Vehicle speed control14
  9. Suspension14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Expedition model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997868
1998851
1999970
2000942
2001609
2002383
2003655
2004297
2005315
2006299
2007215
2008146
200928
201058
201171
2012118
201392
201472
2015164
2016217
2017358
2018383
2019521
2020426
2021241
2022116
202365
202479
202538
202610
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
42
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

223 reports1 crash
“At neighborhood speeds the transmission shifts roughly around 4th gear, making clunking noises and lurching the vehicle. This happens on a daily basis. At interstate speeds, the transmission has popped out of gear when attempting to pass another vehicle, leaving the vehicle decelerating dangerously in a situation where acceleration is needed. This has happened twice in the last year and requires navigating out of traffic to allow the transmission to figure out what is going on and re-engage the proper gear. I have been lucky not to have been in a serious accident. It has not been inspected by a dealer but, when mentioned to a dealer, was told that is just what you get with that 10-speed transmission. In both instances there was some type of warning displayed on the console but I was too busy trying to survive to notice what the message said.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026Power trainODI 11773660

Seat belts

110 reports1 crash2 fires
“My 2019 Ford Expedition is subject to Ford Safety Recall 26S34 (NHTSA Recall 26V344), involving inadvertent deployment of seat-belt retractor pretensioners. The driver's-side seat-belt pretensioner has deployed, causing the seat belt to retract and lock in a position where it physically cannot extend far enough to fit around the driver. As a result, the driver's seat belt is completely unusable, and the vehicle cannot be safely operated. Ford previously issued an advance recall notice indicating that a remedy was anticipated by September 30, 2026. As of October 24, 2026, I have not been provided with an available remedy. I have contacted Ford Customer Service multiple times and spoken with representatives regarding this issue. Ford has informed me that because the recall remains classified as an Advance Notice, its current policy does not authorize rental vehicle assistance. The dealership has also indicated that it cannot provide a rental without authorization from Ford. I have explained repeatedly that this is not simply a vehicle awaiting a recall repair. The recalled safety component has already failed, leaving the driver's seat belt unusable. Despite these…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2026Seat beltsODI 11773379

Engine

108 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the engine originally failed in 2021. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred in August 2026. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the vehicle. The contact believed that the engine was falling out of the vehicle. The rattling sound occasionally occurred while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with gasket seal bolts failure inside the engine. The recent failure mileage was approximately 66,871.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026EngineODI 11769820
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S10)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Expedition 2WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200454
Expedition 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400469
Expedition MAX 2WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400467
Expedition MAX 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550493
  • Expedition 2WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition MAX 2WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition MAX 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Expedition SUV 4x2
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.8%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Expedition SUV 4x4
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.3%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Expedition EL EXTENDED SUV 4x4
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.3%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Expedition EL EXTENDED SUV 4x2
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 13258Vehicle 13257Vehicle 13260
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2019 Expedition questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Expedition have?

11 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 Ford Expedition problems?

Owners filed 521 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (223), seat belts (110), engine (108). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Ford Expedition get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Ford Expedition at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Ford Expedition?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Ford Expedition 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026